Charles Ka’upu memorial: Two traditions, two islands

Even after his recent untimely death, the revered chanter and kumu hula Charles Ka’upu continues to teach about the intertwining of the West and Polynesia, both past and present, in Hawai’i. His family, friends, followers and fans will be able to honor him reflecting the two different traditions in which he lived, and on two islands. The news release from Maui’s Lanakila Willard beautifully explains the reason behind, and elaborates the details of, the dual ceremonies:

On Tuesday July 12, 2011, a luminous light of aloha was extinguished unexpectedly. The family and friends of Loea Hula Charles Kauhi Ka’upu, Jr. were left in disbelief as the reality and magnitude of their loss became apparent.

Kumu Charles, like many Hawaiians was raised a Christian, but still lived and honored his Hawaiian belief system. His family has chosen to honor both his practices by holding a Christian service at Kaumakapili Church on O’ahu and then a traditional customary ceremony on Maui.

His sister, Julie Ka’upu, with the support of his family is organizing the O’ahu ceremonies, while Lanakila Willard, with the support of Stella Burgess and Clifford Nae’ole, is coordinating arrangements on Maui.

Thursday, Aug. 4, at Kaumakapili Church, the family invites the public to join them from 3 to 5 p.m. for visitation, services will commence at 5 and be conducted by Charles’ Uncle Kahu Ka’upu and his friend Kahu Kamanu.

Services on Maui will be on Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Old Lāhaina Lū’au grounds. Services will be traditional with ancient protocols in place. Kumu Kaha’i Topolinski, leading this ceremony, has instructed that no pahu, nose flute or conch shell be used in the procession. The use of any type of recording devices is also prohibited. Children under 12, unless they are accompanying immediate family will not be allowed to enter. Seating will begin at 11:00 am and commence conclude at 11:45. Entrance will be closed once the procession is completed. A scattering of ashes will follow at Ka’ōpala Bay in Kahana and a celebration of Charles at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua will close this day of honoring.

All musicians and hula hālau who wish to pay tribute to Charles at Kaumakapili are welcomed and will be received in the community hall.

On Maui all musicians and hula hālau who wish to pay tribute are also welcomed at the Ritz-Carlton. Please contact Clifford Naeole at Clifford.Naeole@ritzcarlton.co​m.

Willard’s release notes that Ka’upu ‘ohana (family) “wishes to express their gratitude and thankfulness to all those who have and those who continue to come forward to assist them in coping with their great loss,” including “the hundreds of people who have expressed their aloha and respect for Kumu Charles.”

For one such heartfelt appreciation, look no further than the current home page of Hapa, the musical duo with whom he often performed (and who are currently on tou; see the videos below of his chanting before a Hapa song in 2003, and the group’s July 17 tribute to him.) In the Hapa.com essay, singer-guitarist Barry Flanagan also writes of the two worlds in which Ka’upu moved, in this excerpt:

What Charles Ka’upu expressed through the wellspring and drama of his magnificent chants was not unlike Bob Marley and his charismatic poetry and music. Truly there is, was and always will remain a universality in their message that will forever stir emotions and transcend nationality. Charles’ mountainous presence and enigmatic personality just swept you away to that mountain, sky and ocean of his. Charles Ka’upu was a 21st Century Hawaiian messenger, with the ancient plea of “let my people go” providing his oxygen. When he chanted, he broke the yoke for all Hawaiians and for all who longed in their heart for a world free of prejudice, a world that showed respect for all cultures, a world overflowing with aloha, self-determination and emancipation.

For almost 20 years, we all watched literally hundreds of thousands of people outside of Hawai’i experience the epiphany of a Charles Ka’upu chant performance. I believe that Charles’ life of extremes created the oneness of lifeblood in his veins that imbued and drenched every word that he spoke and so powerfully chanted. You knew you had to LISTEN when Charles spoke and chanted. You were immediately silenced and overcome with a reverence that something was going on here that was other-worldly; like the sudden wailing of a siren, or the deep rumble of thunder in the valley, or the horn of Gabriel resounding….

According to Willard’s press release, all those who would also like to share their thoughts and photos, or who have inquiries about the memorial services, should e-mail kumucharles@gmail.com. The services, like the artist himself, are sure to be inspiring and will resonate for some time to come.

Author’s note: Some diacritical marks were added for consistency and URLs for practicality and punctuation was edited for clarity in the quoted material above.